An Indian Su-30 fighter jet crashed in Tezpur close to Milanpur in the northeastern part of the country. The jet went down in a farm field in the state of Assam. Local media outlets report that both the pilot and co-pilot were able to eject safely, although one suffered injuries and has been transported to a local hospital for treatment. The severity of the injuries has not been made clear.
There are few details about the crash at this point, although some reports suggest the plane encountered some kind of technical difficulty. Twitter quickly began filling up with witness accounts of the crash. Video posted on the micro-blogging site shows firetrucks putting out the fire.
Video received from Tezpur, from a friend.
Glad the pilot’s safe ?? pic.twitter.com/SwAv6NGhdt— Aniket Deshpande (@aniket0608) August 8, 2019
The plane crash happened in Milanpur near Tezpur approximately 75 kilometers southwest of the India-Bhutan border and about 130 kilometers south of the India-China border.
The Indian Air Force issued this statement to media: “Today evening a Su-30 aircraft on a routine training mission from Tezpur crashed in the local flying area. Both pilots ejected safely from the aircraft and have been rescued. A Court of Inquiry will ascertain cause of the accident.”
The Indian Su-30 fighter jet that crashed was designed by Russia. It’s a heavy, long-range jet, and the first jets of this type were added to the Indian Air Force seven years ago, according to Sputnik. India had built approximately 250 of them as of last year and continues to build more of them.
